Houlden welcomes Whittles Jewellers into group

Whittles Jewellers of Preston has become the latest addition to the expanding community of Houlden Group members.

The high end jeweller, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, says that it chose to join Houlden to help it keep pace with the rapidly changing market.

“We are aware that times and expectations change and we want to be in a strong position to respond to those changes. We see the Houlden Group as offering us a tremendous tool in moving our business into the future as well as sharing and networking with likeminded people,” said Sheila Bamber, who runs Whittles with her daughter Joanna Rhodes.

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“Broadening our appeal to a new generation of shoppers is very important to us as are our plans to move to larger premises in 2013 and keep the family legacy going,” Bamber added.

Whittles has already been transformed over the past five years as they adapted to soaring gold prices. The company, which was founded in 1862, has moved into branded jewellery and high end watches alongside their traditional gold and diamond business.

Stuart Laing, CEO of Houlden Group, said he is delighted to welcome Whittles. : “We feel that with our ever increasing choice of suppliers they will benefit greatly from membership and enjoy meeting and sharing ideas with other Houlden members,” he added.